Hornets clinch playoff berth

• By LES EAST
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Apr 5, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:35 a.m.

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NEW ORLEANS — The Hornets’ steady march through the Western Conference passed a milestone and picked up steam Friday night in the New Orleans Arena.

They became the first team in the West to clinch a playoff berth as they held off the stubborn New York Knicks, 118-110.

The victory extended their lead over San Antonio for the top spot in the Southwest Division and the West to 1‰ games because the Spurs lost at Utah, 90-64.

New Orleans (53-22) got its 10th straight home win and ninth win in its last 10 games overall as it prepares to host Golden State in a nationally televised game (ABC) at noon Sunday.

As soon as the final buzzer sounded, putting the Hornets officially in the playoffs for the first time in four years, owner George Shinn slipped on a playoffs T-shirt as the ninth sellout crowd (17,779) in the last 14 home games celebrated.

But the reaction was far more subdued from coach Byron Scott and the players, who have seven more games to play as they try to secure the top seed for the playoffs, which begin two weeks from today.

“This is what it’s all about,” said point guard Chris Paul, who is going to the post-season for the first time in his three-year career. “The first two years, we were right there but didn’t make it. Coming into this year we knew it would be a failure if we didn’t make it. Now that we’re in, it’s time to concentrate on getting the No. 1 seed.”

Scott, who twice coached New Jersey to the NBA Finals, saw this team surpass the previous best win total for one of his clubs, the 52 wins by the 2001-02 Nets team that won the East.

“It’s a significant accomplishment because we haven’t gone in four years,” Scott said of the playoff berth matter of factly. “But I’m not real happy with the way we played. We’re trying to get ready for something much bigger. If we want to do something special, this isn’t going to get it done.”

The Hornets’ performance against the Knicks (20-56) gave Scott ample evidence to show his team that it’s too soon to celebrate, especially with the Warriors, who are fighting for the final playoff berth, and the Northwest Division-leading Jazz coming to town in the next four days.

New York shot 55 percent from the field, had a 56-52 edge on points in the paint, and outrebounded New Orleans, 41-33.

“If we were playing Golden State or Utah, we would have lost tonight,” Scott said, “and if we play the same way, we’ll get our butts beat Sunday and Tuesday.”

Paul saved the day with another MVP-caliber performance, getting 33 points (making 10-of-19 field goals, 1-of-2 3-pointers, and 12-of-13 foul shots) and 15 assists for his NBA-leading 11th game with at least 20 points and 15 assists. He also had two steals, giving him a franchise-record 194 for the season.